Tuesday, 11 September 2007

Nice and sloe

We had a great weekend seeing friends and being outside, trying to cram in as much of the last of the summer's sunshine as possible. I know from reading other blogs recently that I'm not alone in noticing the approach of Autumn. You can smell it in the air and, whilst we're enjoying these last few days of summer there is no denying that things are changing.I always think that September is a bittersweet month, it marks the end of summer and lazy days with the children but it also brings with it the excitement of something new, fresh and exciting.Once I've recovered from the shorter evenings (which for me is the hardest of the changes) and Autumn has finally taken hold, I do feel strangely refreshed and excited by things. After the gloom of the children returning to school and before the grey gloom of a British winter, there are those few weeks of being able to go out and enjoy the changes. Long walks in the countryside, good books to read, a change of clothes, something good to watch on TV (fingers crossed) and the planning of Christmas (!) which at this stage of the year, before the frantic shopping and mass consumerism of December, is still enjoyable ( and I know I won't be talking like this in a couple of months time!).

One of the things that always marks the ending of Summer and beginning of Autumn is our annual trek onto the Downs to pick sloes for sloe gin, which makes the perfect pressie for Christmas. At the end of the holidays we were out walking and found that the sloes were not nearly as abundant as usual. Emma was that you? Either someone had got there before us or it hasn't been a particularly good year. We usually pick them a few weeks from now after the first frost but we realised that if we waited any longer there would have been none left to pick. Don't be tempted by their beautiful bluish tinge to pop one into your mouth, they taste disgusting!

It really is very easy to make sloe gin. For every 1lb (450g) of sloes you pick, you need 4oz (100g) sugar and a bottle of gin, plus a few drops of almond essence (optional). Remove stalks from sloes and wash them. Prick each sloe with a darning needle (the kids love doing this and have not yet ended up with fingers resembling pin cushions). If you can't be bothered to prick them and a mountain of sloes does look quite daunting - just stick them in the freezer overnight or for a few days and they should burst by themselves. Put the sloes into a large-necked screw top jar(s) and add sugar and almond essence if using. Fill the bottle with gin (no need to use an expensive brand), screw the lid back on and place in a cupboard for about three months (Or until Christmas is fine). Shake the jars every once in a while and you'll notice the sloes infusing the gin with their gorgeous colour. At the end of this time, strain the sloes and liquid through muslin and pour into pretty bottles. Easy! The hardest part is waiting ...

It really is a gorgeous drink, warming and rounded. It doesn't taste of gin at all. Worth making just for the colour and remember to make an extra bottle to keep for yourself!

36 comments:

OK, now my ignorance will surface: I don't drink, and I always thought a "slow gin fizz" was an American drink into which you poured the gin slowly into the glass! hahahahahaha Now from reading your blog (and I think one other), I've learned the "slow" is actually "sloe" and is a berry! Now I bury my head in the sand...

I'm with Sophie on the scales,they are gorgeous........My grandmother made Sloe Gin but kept her recipe a secret,I must try this myself,if I can find some SloesIt looks like the perfect relaxer to me.Kat xxxxx

I've thought about making sloe gin eah time I see sloes in the hedgerows but then the thought of pouring a whole bottle of gin in with other ingredients that I may not like anything like as much as a G & T puts me off the idea!

Wow, we have sloes all over the place here and I've never known what to do with them. Thanks for the fab recipe. I might have to wait until next year to try it though as my cupboards are full of jam, lol!

Sloe gin is great stuff isn't ? I saw sloes in Norfolk last week and they were abundant and large so maybe it depends on the weather conditions in various parts of the country. I haven't looked for any round here yet as they are supposed to be better after a frost. Hawthorn berries, crab apples and viburnum are all prolific this year but the rowans don't seem as good as usual. It's certainly perfect autumn weather for wandering down a country lane looking for them all.

I've just written a post on a really similar theme with even an almost identical picture of sloes! Great minds obviously think alike! I need to go and buy some gin so I can get on with the making. I'm lazy and put my sloes in the freezer to split them. It is a delicious drink though isn't it. Mum and Dad usually make plenty but I only made one bottle last year which wasn't nearly enough! Definitely making more this year.

Sloe gin...so delicious *SIGH* I've often felt that the new year should begin about now, fall, September...there's such change, excitement, new beginnings, farewells, etc. I wonder who decided January would be good for the new year--LOL! Happy Day ((HUGS))

How fun that you are now planning for Christmas. It makes it so much more relaxed when December is here and we are prepared. You can sit down with a favorite holiday book or film and relax then. I have never had sloe gin but it does look so pretty in that glass. Can a drink look pretty??? :-)

What a fabulous colour. I've not seen many sloes around us but I'm certainly going to keep my eyes out for them. Thanks for the recepie, great idea and I know just the place to buy those lovely old fashioned bottles from too. Really enjoyed reading your Autumn post. Bittersweet describes the season perfectly.Stephx

Wow I never knew what sloe gin was. It looks delicious. I love watching the change of seasons via blogs as each season evokes different feelings. We are heading into Spring and everything is feeling fresh and new again - it's very uplifting. Loved your hearts and all the yummy sweeties - we too do a bit of a Friday thing!

So, outside my studio window there are sharp thorn bushes. Blackthorn, covered in deep purple ripe fruits. I have 2 bottles of bombay saphire and some sugar and some flakes of almonds that add a subtle edge to the gin. Maybe, just maybe, instead of sitting inside the studio photographing the birds that visit the birdfeeders threaded through the headge, I will get out and pick and prick and put them in gin to soak so that soon I can lie by the fire, covered in sap and sip.ThanksJackie and the Gingercats

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Happily living between the sea and the Downs on Sussex coast with my lovely husband, 2 gorgeous girls and 2 scrummy cats. Busy making and doing. Co-owner of vintage Emporium -Milly & Dottie's Emporium - Milly being my alter ego. Whilst life is not always rosy, here you will find the rosiest bits!